The ‘angel roofs’ of East Anglia are relatively unique to Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Simply put, they are angels carved from wood - oak and chestnut. Many date back to the 1390s, although some were carved or repaired by the Victorians during the ‘Gothic revival.’ Most carvings relate to angels and archangels in the ‘celestial hierarchy’ as they were thought to be closer to mankind.
They are the only type of religious imagery to survive the Reformation. It is believed that they only stayed intact due to their inaccessibility. Many people fail to notice them even today because they are so high up in the darkness. They are difficult to capture.
My first four images are from the angel roof in the church of St. Mary, Bury St. Edmunds (one of the largest churches in England where Hammer beams alternate with arch braces). The roof dates from the 1440’s and depicts angels in a procession for high mass (such as incense bearers with incense boats and spoons, taperers with spiked candlesticks, sub-deacons with bibles and chalice bearers). It is believed that these were never painted because the cost of paint in medieval times was so extortionate.
At All Saints Church, Hawstead, there is an early 16th century Angel ‘hammerhead’ roof with the original angel bodies, but some of the heads and wings were 'restored' in a botched way by the Victorians.
The monochrome angel and cherub images were taken in the World Heritage site of The High Cathedral of Saint Peter in Trier, Germany. The idea of capturing these unique works of art began after a visit to the abandoned church of St Michael the Archangel in Booton, Norfolk 20 years ago, to look at the exterior of this abandoned church built in the Victorian Gothic revival style. Inside, I saw carved Victorian angels in the roof, captivating in semi-darkness. However, I did not have the knowledge or equipment to photographically capture the angels of St Michael the Archangel.
Nevertheless, they made an impression, which let to an interest in the portrayal of angels by the art world generally such as Fra Angelico, Fra Fillippo, Jan van Eyck (following a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts, Ghent where they were restoring a painting by him), Raphael, Michelangelo, as well as Kate Denton’s sculpture of Icarus (with the emphasis on the wings) and images of angel stone masonry in churchyards (UK and abroad). My main influence has been the photography and writing by Michael Rimmer in his book, ‘The Angel Roofs of East Anglia,’ which was released around the time I bought my first DSLR.
*Please note these images are not in high res.
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